Report by Dr. Talal Osman
PYRAMIDS FC boosted their chances of lifting the Egyptian Premier League crown with a thrilling 3–2 victory over visitors ENPPI in the opening match of the fifth Championship‑Group round on Friday, moving them level on points with league leaders Zamalek – ahead on goal‑difference.
Title‑race dynamics
Pyramids climbed to 50 points in second place, just behind Zamalek on tie‑breaks, with two rounds remaining in the decisive stage. The defending title‑holder Al Ahly will face Zamalek in the Cairo Derby later in the same round, keeping the title‑race incredibly tight.
ENPPI’s points stayed at 36 in sixth place, leaving them out of the top‑three picture after the loss.
A roller‑coaster first half
ENPPI struck first in the 10th minute through Aqthay Abdel‑Latif, who smashed a powerful close‑range effort after a cross from defender Ahmed Khalil.
Jordanian forward Ouda Al‑Fakhori levelled with a well‑placed header in the 17th minute from a cross by Nasser Maher, then Mostafa Abdel‑Rauof put Pyramids ahead in the 27th minute with a thunderous finish off a rebound from the defense.
ENPPI’s Ali Mahmoud equalised from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Hamed Abdel‑Lateef was tripped by defender Osama Galal, sending keeper Ahmed Al‑Shennawi the wrong way.
The first half ended in Pyramids’ favour when Abdel‑Rauof restored their lead just two minutes into stoppage time, finishing a cross by Al‑Fakhori to make it 3–2 at the break.
Al‑Masry rally keeps hopes alive
In the same slot, Al‑Masry of Port Said edged hosts Ceramica Cleopatra 1–0, thanks to a stunning long‑range strike by Omar Al‑Saai in the 75th minute.
Al‑Saai caught Cleopatra keeper Mohamed Bassam off his line and fired a low, powerful effort that found the net, denying Ceramica a shot at the coveted third‑place spot in the Championship Group.
The win left Al‑Masry in fourth place on 43 points, three points ahead of their rivals in fifth, while Ceramica stayed in the lower half of the standings.
Pyramids’ victory sets the stage for a high‑stakes showdown between Zamalek and Al Ahly later in the round, with three teams still in contention for the title and the race now poised for a climactic final‑two‑match run‑in.
